Projectile-fuse-testing apparatus.



C. L. HEISLER.-

PROJECYILE FUSE TESTING APPARATUS.

APPLlcmoN FILED JULY 18,1915.

.l ,24 ,21 3 Patented Sept. 25,1%?.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

C. I.. HEISLER.

PROIECTILE FUSE TESTING APPARATUS APPLICATION FILED JULY I8, i915.

Patented sept. 25, 1917.

simens-SHEET s.

CHARLES L. HEISLEB, DE SCHENECTADY, NEW' YORK.

PROJECTILE-FUSE-TESTING APPARATUS.

Application filed July 18, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, @Hannes L. Hnisnnn, ot' Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Projectile-Fuse-Testing Apparatus, of which improvement the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means tor automatically and accurately measuring and recording the time which elapses while burning a projectile fuse timing powder train, from the instant1 it is lired to the instant when it ignites or lires the fuse base charge.

The object of my invention is to provide simple, effective, and automatically adjustable means for firing the fuse; to avoid the necessity of adjusting related parts of the apparatusandfuse for each test; and to materially increase the accuracy and capacity of the apparatus with a minimum expenditure of highly skilled manual labor.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure l is a View, partly in elevation and partly in section, of improved means for supportingand firing a fuse;4 which forms part ot' a. fuse testing apparatus embodving my invention; Fig. 2, a View, partly in elevation and partly in section, on the line m c of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a sectional elevation, on. an enlarged scale, showing structural modifications which are made -when testing a fuse without a base charge Fig. 4, a sectional elevation, on an enlargedY scale, of the fuse firing hammer; Fig. 5, a. plan View, partly in sectioiwsliowing the recording chronometer mechanism forming part of the apparatus, which is electrically connected with the means tor tiring a fuse; Fig. '6, a side view, partly in section, of the same; Fig. 7, an end view, on a smaller scale; Fig. 8, a vertical section on an enlarged scale on the line g/ y of Fig, 5; and, Fig. 9, a diagrammatic plan view of the complete testing apparatus, when electrically connected. i I

In the practice of 'my invention, referringdescriptively toA the `preferred specilic embodiment which is herein exemplified, I:

provide a supporting member or casing, l, having a supporting Hengel", at one end, whereby 'rt may be fastened to a walk-bench, or other object,not\ shown in the drawing. A discharge outlet, l, is connected to the casing adjoining the supporting flange. An upwardly projecting bracket, 1d, which is Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented cpt. 25, 1917.

Serial No. 109,908.

formed on the casing adjacent to the flange, lb, supports a small horizontally disposed shaft, El, which is fastened in the bracket, and on which a swinging hammer, Q, is journaled. An operating latch trigger, l, which is pivotally supported on the bracket beneath the hammer, b v a pin, eta, is ,adapted to vengage with a catch, 2d, formed on the rear end of the arm, 2, ot the hammer, when placed in its upper inclined position, indicated by the broken lines. The hammer arm is in its horizontal position when striking the fuse, as illustrated by the full lines.

The projectile fuse, .3, which is to be tested, is provided with an upwardly projecting` firing piu, 5, of the usual construction.

.The fuse is supported by a bushing,

screwed into the upper portion of the liront side of thc casing, and forming a seat for the fuse. fr vertically disposed reciprocating plunger, 7, is mounted directly beneath, and in vertical axial alinement with, the fuse, 5. `When testing fuses which do not have a base powder charge, and are only loaded with timing` powder trains, the plunger, 7, as illustrated in Fig. 3, projects upwardly into the bod of the fuse, so as to form a loosely fitting. piston, which is impelled downward against the resistance of a supporting` coil spring, 8, by an explosive discharge lrou'i the powder train port, 5d. The spring, S, is given a very low initial compression, sutlicient to slightly exceed the weight of the plunger and maintain an electrical contact between the electrically insulated platinum points, 9 and lO, and is supported by a downwardly projecting rod or stem, ll, secured in the plug, ll, which is fixed in the casing, l. Binding posts, 9 and 10, electrically connect the corresponding contact points with a recording chronometer, through the wil-es, 9b, 15.

and 10b, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9. any slight explosive discharge of gas from the port, 5, will cause a downward movement of the plunger, to break the electrical contact between the stationary platinum point, 10, and lthe movable point, 9, thereby making` an instantaneous record on the chronometer, in a manner to be hereinafter described.

When the fuse is loaded with a ba se charge and tired, the resulting severe explosion discharges downwardly against the plunger and through the casing. To guard against its destructive eect on the apparalus, the interrupting` plunger7 7j i5 ilinposeel :it :i considerable distance below the Fue. und only n lHlighl (,liseinnee ubove "Lhe upwur lly exieinlingl eetion7 1i". ol' the plug, li, :is shown in Fig. l. Thiel rlispimiiion pei-hills only n very slightY nu;\enieni olf he plunge' :unl eonl'neL point, be'lore she plunger wealth: iisel'i' upon lhe plug.)v leetion7 ll, und, eloxen' :1 posible orilfleb` For the bew'een the plunger siiein, il unil alle plug.

reeiproezuing`v` veri/nelly (lisposeil eontzu-i breuliing or rireuilV inerrupting` pinnejerj 1Q. is supported wil'hin vthe hnnnner` :unl inelozsed thereby. ,'i, ileli 'ui'ely :n.lliusieil eoii y\prin,;'j l (iie l), is ilisposeil within the lnninn'er, nini nrrnngeel to support the plunger :unl hohl itI upper enil in eontnet wiih un eleeirirzilly ineuluieil binding poet", il". until the ineoini lhe lmnnner is retarded in in; zlow'uu'uril inoreinem` nml the ineriu oi' he inlerrupii' plunger i2 breulihthe ronbiei. rThe si ll*I i eonneeleil, by he fi. The plnnA gein l2, i1j in inei'nllie renlue wiih he lininnier, und in eleerienl een)nuinieetion with he wire`r 13. whieh in' u ineheil o lhe lnnnn 'lihe wire\l ll unil fn :ire fornieil with iil-- il" uml than' :ire buiporl'ell upon the hur.y Ik n :i nninner io prey xn repezieilli bueliliin` uml breaking el" hel wire@` when operating il e hunnner. The binilingg posi, lilin is lixeil 'i'o nnil eleeriezilir insuhi'leil l i lorlieil (hier l rom :i olniire supporting pont, ll, whieh in eonbiel; posiion by u pin, il, engages wifh u nolrh r :e 1iennnen eoil pring` lil., e the ,loner enfl of the posi by u nui. lf2, ubuis ziggziuinni' the hunnuery in .Suf'h nninner an; to secu' p fition the post, unil lo perniili it to be li erl und reni'eil about iis exis e free ihe @minet poinisl for leenine, :unl to remove the pliniger, i2, Yfrom the huunner. 'Y

The rimording ehrononleer is mounted upon :i brise, 30, en which there is ii'orineil :i breeke/7 lill, for supporting u eonsunt sneeil eleerie motor,y Sil, which is coupled lo n horizontal worin Awhnlt, 32, on whirh :are linealiwoworms,5.,engnginl\\'orn1\\'heels ll., whieh :u1u-lne :i pnir oli ilruin ehueh Shui' j ninl 'l". lThesey #hulls here one or more rluiieh ilruni.--,. lll :unl ill-" loosely mounted upon henr 'lie six eluleh ilrunis ho\\fn;ir-"1y ol like eonxtrueiion, :inil :ire eueh proriileil with any well known lforni ol' .-uh-h, ill-g :nlzipieil o eouple, i to lie slnilt, 'L or IESE by ineens oll ille eluieh ygirnisv` f';

71 :nul ihe eluieh roils, lih il? nul r whirl: ure {tonnel-teil i'herelo by lf rlponfling' I:luleh burs 36"* 23T", nml 33S, anni :nluplml lor he (convenient sterling or :woppingl nlf mieli puir or rlueh iliuins. ihree eenlml rr'orilinjg sli-inns, iii). :ire [ooh-ely inounhiui upon u eenlrul horizonlul shul't, Il), und nre en-rh 1n eonluer with7 unil interposed beiween, u eorrespending piiir of eluteh lrunis. ill und Slt. Euch ol.l hese eluteh (lrunrsy is roupleil io the elul'eh shzr'i; by uninunlly ue'Lnutiiu :in upproprizite eluleh ro l 3U, Si or 25S, so ne lo loehV the eorreiminling clutch ih'uin le ills slnilfl. laterally ino\'- able pnir or shells, il und l"7 iis; dispoaeil parallel with the sla' Ih, 233% nml -l-O. 'Three outer pairs ol' h-unis, lli :inl l2", :ire ezieh tightly preseil. against their eorresponilin,r drinne.; Ill, unil 3l", by the springs, l-l :unl ll", so :is to eziuse 'hese f lrninb to press against the eenrnl rhuins. 'Vl'he spring pres ure is inline-teil by Lhe lscrews, l5, 'lor lhe purposey oll applying tension to the palper recording strips, fl, which unwind from the pziper rolls7 l-Vi, unil pues under the ilruinSf, ill, over Aihe recording lrunis, 3i), under the ilrunrsj` Ill2 :unl over the (Vlruinwy l2. rl`he elueh Hhu'lfts', Bil, Bil, here n, slight lzliel'ul lfreerloin giren by lhe boxes, Sli/3"'. The elu eh drinne; I l, ure nnule slightly larger ihzin the (lruris, al, Jfor the purpose ely applying increased tension lo the peper ellipb- :1n/l 'to hohl lhein t'igjhlly upon the drinne: 53S), whileI pnssing uiuler the etylogrnphie penis, lb unil lbk These pens :1re giren :i slight lailei'nl inoveinen in the usuel n'ninner by their CorreJ-poniling reluy inugnegs, #Vl-5) enel 50, when inierrupingg ihe eleelrie current, :is nulieiiieil l the recording lines7 l1 :5:57 und ihe nun-ifs, i' :nul 55. ne illu:-=A ie l ilineruninniiieully in Fig. The event inurhing pen, lb, rerorilis eieli inihln, :it whieh in eleetrieul inierruption inside by {.he burn ing of i'he 'liuse iliowder trein, zinil ihe iiine inzlrhing pen7 -lil reeorils seeoniln olf elnpseil inne.

rElie recordingy elnfonoineter ineehnnisn'i i5 wireil :nul eonneeiied with, lhe Contact ponle, iO-l unil il", by the wires, l0" unil i5, :15 illus irzrieil liugrznnnnilienlly in Fig. Sl. The ei'eel;i Th1 penilulunn l, und the D. C. genernior9 5G, whieh ure oi' orilinairy eonstruelion` unil, therefore, will not be herein cle- ;-;eribel :ire eoupled lo he. reluys, VVl) :unl 50, in the nninner shown. lter (losing one ol lhe swigehes. il()7 uny eleeirienl interruption in he eireui, between the hires, 10" unil l5, .rhieh when plnee when teeting u 'luse unilei' the hzinnner, 2, will musi :in inatunbnieonbl luie-.rui nioi'enieni'y oiE the correnioznlinf;1 stylojrnphie pen, 'lh, eonneeiieil lo [he relay', lf). eorrespomling Lo the eloseil switch, (3U7 uml hereby proiluee :i reeoril nnirl, 5l, on the line, 5l. rl`he pendulum nnirlis. in neeonils, the eorrespomling` nienure olI elapsed linie .by intlniiinj;v the relziy7 5f). also eorrespoiuling;` io ihe Iunie eloneil swilrir, :nul nnihine he reeorll nnirls. 52, on the line, .32, wilh he pen. iH". :is dingrnnnnnlieully inilienml by the righi hunil Het of reluy# :nul liringil hezuh eonneeieil by (he elof'eil swieh, (El).

To :iroiil spurli'ing' :iii the niereury eleelri enl eonniei inlerrupler7 55, disposed below the pendulum, 55, the relay circuit breaker, 61, the condenser, 65, and the battery, 63, are interposed and connected between the electrical generator', 56, and the relay, 50, in the usual manner, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9.

In the operation of one of the switches, 60, is closed; the corresponding hammer, 2, is raised to the dotted position; and a. fuse is inserted as shown. The pendulum will mark, on the line, 52, by record marks, 52, seconds of elapsed time. The hammer is dropped by pulling on' the cord, 62', (Fig. l), which may lead from position conveniently near the chronometer mechanism. The instant the hammer strikes and lires the fuse, the plunger, 12, interrupts the electrical circuit, and causes the corresponding pen, 48, to make a record mark, 5l, on the line 5l. During the burning ot' the powder train in the iuse, and up to the instant it discharges through the port, 5d, the line, 5l, will be a straight the apparatus, any

line, terminating with an abrupt lateral mark, similar to the mark, 51a, made at the insta-nt the downward movement of the plun` ger, 7, breaks the contact between the platinunrpoints, 9 and 10. rlhe total elapsed time can be easily determined by counting, and measuring fractional seconds, on the line of record marks, 52, which, for ecnvenience, is marked parallel with, and adj acent to, the line of record marks, 5l. The hammer is again lifted to permit removal oi the tested fuse, and the insertion ot' another. Three operators can make and record a test every half minute, and skilled operators can run two sets of tests simultaneously, if de` sired to further increase the capacity of the outfit. @ne set can be held for reserve, and comprises one of the pair of recording pens, 48; 48a; a pair o f relays, 49 and 50, a casing, .1; andliammer, 2, with their related acccssories. Three such sets, with the clock and D. C. generator,,comprise the complete apparatus.

Heretofore, when testing the timing trains of fuses with older devices, it was the practice to screw a fuse tightly into a holder, to vertically adjust an electric contact actuatingtrigger disposed ,adjacent to the tiring pin, so that a falling bar guided by slides would strike the trigger and pin as nearly as possible at the same instant. A base trigger was also set to insurean unbroken electrical contact governed thereby. rlhe accuracy of the timing depended upon the personal skill and ability of the operator when setting the triggers, and several minutes were required to tasten the fuse and set the triggers.

In my improved apparatus, the cont-act breakers are 'entirely automatic in their action and require no setting and the fuse is merely set in its seat, since the action of the device shown in F ig. 3 is so sensitive that a base charge is not required, and since a very slight puf? of gas from the port, will break the contact at the points7 9 and lO. My invention not only reduces the time required for making a test'and record, which usually required from four to tive minutes, to one-half minute, when taking the average time for eight hours actual operation, but also effects a material saving, by eliminating the cost oi loading a` base powder charge, and removing the debris resulting from a very noisy explosion thereof, which trequently destroyed the triggers of the older devices. My improved apparatus rarely fails in making a perfect record, whereasI l 'the older devices, which depend largely upon the skill and care of the operators, lost a large percentage of tests from failure in making a record.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. Ilhe combination, in a fuse testing ap` paratus, of a recording chrmometer; a supporting member having ainse seat 'formed thereon; a tiring hammer supported above said supporting member; means for releasing the hammer and causing it to strike a fuse supported on said seat; electrical contact members supported on the hammer and adapted to be connected and establish electrical communication with the recording ohronometer; and a reciprocating member carrying one of said Contact members, and adapte-d to interrupt said electrical communication at the instant the hammer lires the fuse.

2. The combination, in a fuse testing apparatus, of a recording chronometer; a'sup porting member having a. fuse seat formed thereon; a tiring hammer supported above said supporting member; means for releasing the hammer and causing it to strike a fuse supported on said seat; electrical contact members supported on the hammer and adapted to be connected and establish electrical communication with the recording chronometer; a reciprocating member carry; ing one of said contact members,. and

, adapted to interrupt said electrical communicati-on at the instant the hammer fires the fuse; `and means for interrupting electrical communication at the instant eXplosivegases discharge from the base ot the fuse.

The combination, in al fuse testing apparatus, of a recording chronometer; a supporting Amember having a fuseseat formed thereon; a tiring hammer; means tor pivotally mounting the hammer on the supporting member; means for releasing the ham mer and causing it to strike a fuse when disposed on said seat; electrical interrupting means disposed beneath the fuse seat; and electrical communicating means coupled with the hammer, the interrupting means, and the recording chronometer, and adapted to transmit to a record on the chronometer the instant of tiring and time of burning the t'use timing powder train.

4. The combination, in a fuse testing apparatus, ot' a` recording chronometer; a supporting member having a t'use' seat formed thereon; a tiring hammer; means tor pivotally mounting the hammer on the support-k ing member; means 'for releasing the hammer and causing it to strike a tuse when disposed onA said seat: a mo vable electrical contact member carried by the hammer; electrical interrupting means, comprising a vertically reciprocating interrupting plunger (.lisposed beneath the fuse, in axial alinement therewith; and electrical communicating means connected to said contact member carried by the hammer, to the interrupting means, and to the recording chronometer, and adapted to transmit to the chronometer, the instant ot tiring and time ot' burning the tuse timing powder train, for the purpose ot ma king a record thereof.

rlhecombination, in a tu'se testing -aps paratus, of a chronometer mechanism including a clockga recording surtace having its motion governed thereby; time and event recording markers; means tor connecting the clock' and the time marlv'er so as to actuate the marker and record increments-ot elapsed time; a timing luse supporting lnember; a movable tiring hammer; means for guidingthe hammer when tiring a t'use; electrical means t'or actuating the event marker; amovable electrical current interrupter carried by the hammer, and adapted to interrupt a current at the instant the hammer is retarded when tiring a tuse; and a conductor adapted to establish electrical conununication between the interrupter and said means vt'or actuating the event marker. so as to cause a movement ot the marlv'er at the instant the current is interrupted.

6. 'The combination7 in a fuse testing' apparatus, of a cln'oi'ion'ieter mechanism, including a clock; a recording surtace having` its motion governed thereby; time and event recording markers; means 'tor connecting the clock and the time marker so as to record increments ot elapsed time; a timing fuse supporting member; a movable firing hammer; means tor guidingthe han'nner when tiring a` t'use; electrical means tor actuating the event marker; a movable elec trical current interrupter carried by the hammer and ada ptcd to interrupt a current at the instant the hammer is retarded when tiring a fuse; a conductor adapted to establish electrical communication between the interruptor and said means lor actuating the event ma rlier, so as to cause a movement ot the marke' at the instant the current is interrupted; and means tor actuating the event marker at the instant the timing fuse powder train has burned its predetern'iined length and flashed from the base of the fuse.

T rEhe eomlbination, in a fuse testing apparatus, ot a chronometer mechanism, including a clock; a recording surface having its motion governed thereby; time and event recording markers; means tor connecting the clock and the time marker so as to record increments ot elapsed time; a timing fuse supporting member; a movable tiring hammer; means tor guiding the hammer when tiring a fuse; electrical means tor actuating the event marker; a movable electrical current interrupter carried by the hanuner and adapted to interrupt a current at the instant the hammer is retarded when tiring a Yfuse; a conductor adapted to establish electrical communication between the interrupter and said means Afor actuating the event marker, so as to cause a movement of the marker at the instant the current is interrupted; and means for actuating the event marker at the instant the timing 'fuse powder train has burned its predetermined length and flashed `trom the base ot' the fuse.: comprising a movable plunger, means tor guiding` the plunger and positioning one end thereotl near a tire tiash discharge outlet.` a lcurrent interrupter toi-med on the plunger and placed in circuit by said electrical conductorl with the electrical means tor actuating the event marlv'er, and a spring tor normally supporting the plunger in its position near the outlet.

S. 'l`he combination, in a tuse testing apparatus, ot' a chronometer mechanism, in'- eluding a eloclv'; a recording surface having its motion governed thereby: time and event recordingmarkers; means tor connecting the clock and the time marlier so as to actuate the marker and record increments ot' elapsed time; a timing fuse supporting member; a` movable tiring hammer lormed on au arm having a pivotal bearingat one end thereof; means l'or pivotallv supporting'the hammer when tiring a tusc; electrical means 'tor actuating the event marker; a movable electricall current interrupter, comprising a sliding plunger, carried by the hammer and adapted to interrupt a current at the instant the hammer is retarded when firing a fuse; and a cond ictor adapted to establish communication between the interrupter and said means Vtor actuating the event marker, so as to cause a movement ot' the marker at the instant the current is interrupted.

fl. 'l'he combination, in a luse testing apparatus, ot a chronometer mechanism, including a clock; a plurality ol recording sur- 'Faces having their motion govenned thereby; time and event recording markers; means t'or connecting the clock and Athe. time marliers so as to record increments ot' elapsed time; a plurality of timing fuse supporting members; a plurality of movable tiring hammers; means for guiding each hammer when firing a fuse; electrical means for actuating the event markers; a movable electrical current interrupter carried by each hammer and adapted to interrupt a current at the instant the hammer is retarded when tiring a fuse; conductors adapted to establish electrical communication between the corresponding intcrrupters and said means for actuating the event markers, so as to cause a movement of a corresponding marker at the instant the current is interrupted; and meansfor actuating the event markers at the instant the corresponding timing fuse powder train has burnedv its predetermined length and flashed from the base of the fuse.

l 10. The combination7 in a fuse testing apparatus, of means for supporting a fuse; means for tiring the fuse; recording event and-time markers; means for actuating the time markers so as to record increments of elapsed time; means for actuating the event marker at theinstant of firing the fuse and at the instalnt explosive gases discharge from lthe base thereof; a supporting base; a horizontally disposed pair of ,adjustable clutch drums; a pa'ir of motor actuated clutch shafts coupled thereto; a recording drum disposed under the markers, and between the members of the pair of clutch drums, so as to be driven thereby; and means for adjusting the pressure between the drums, for the purpose of traversing recording paper under said markers.

11. The combination7 in a fuse testing apparatus, of means for supporting a fuse; means for firing the fuse; recording event and time markers; means for actuating the time markers so as to record increments of elapsed time means for actuating the event marker at the instant ot tiring the fuse and at the instant explosive gases discharge from the base thereof; a supporting base; a horizontally disposed pair of adjustable clutch drums; a pair ot' motor actuated clutch shafts coupled thereto; a recording drinn disposed under the markers, and between the members o1' the pair of clutch drums so as to be driven thereby: and means for adjusting the pressure between the drums, for the purpose of traversing recording paper under said ma rkers, comprising an adjustable adapted to pair of outer drums provided With means drums.

l2. The combination, in a" fuse testing apparatus, of means for supporting a fuse; means for ring the fuse; recording event and time markers; means for actuating the time markers so as to record increments of elapsed time;'means for actuating the event marker at the instant of firing the fuse and at the instant explosive gases discharge from the base thereof; a supporting base; hori* zontally disposed pairs of adjustable clutch drums; a pair of motor actuated 'clutch shafts coupled thereto; a plurality of recording drums, one of each disposed under a corresponding event and time marker and between the corresponding pair of clutch drums, so as to be driven thereby; and means for adjusting' the pressure between the drums for the purpose of traversing recording paper under the corresponding ma'rkers. 4

13. The combination7 in a fuse testing apparatus; of means for supporting a fuse;

means for firing the fuse; recording event and time markers; means for actuating the time markers so as to record increments of elapsed time; means for actuating the event marker at the instant of tiring the fuse and at the instant explosive gases discharge from the base thereof; a supporting base; horizent-ally disposed pairs of adjustable Clutch drums; a pair of motor actuated clutch shafts coupled thereto; a plurality of re cording drums, one of each disposed under a corresponding event and time marker and between the corresponding pair of clutch drums, so as to be driven thereby; means for adjusting the pressure between the drums tor the purpose ot' traversing recording pa per under the corresponding markers; clutches mounted upon the clutch shaft and interposed between the drums; and means for coupling a pair of corresponding clutches, one on each shaft, for the purpose of simul taneonsly starting or stopping a corresponding pair ot' clutch drums, one on each clutch shaft, so as to stop the traverse of the correspomling recording paper.

CHARLES L. HEISLER.

Witnesses RALPH B. BURTON, HADLEY E. YOUNG.

press them against the clutch' 

